Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

Short Subjects TRIBUTE TO A 40-YEAR MAN Universal Pictures executives at the luncheon to honor board chairman A. /. Blumberg's 40th anniversary in the motion picture industry: Adolph Schimel. Leon Goldberg. If iliam Goetz, Blumberg, Alfred E. Dafj. Milton R. Rackmil. Americo Aboaf and David A. Lipton. THE GREATEST collection of 25-year men in motion picture history paid tribute last week to N. J. Blumberg, at the annual Motion Picture Pioneers' Jubilee Dinner, where the Universal board chairman was honored as the "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952". The stirring affair, chairmanned by Xed E. Depinet, with George Jessel\ as toastmaster, was highlighted by addresses by Father Patrick Peyton, eminent Catholic clergyman; Jack Colin, president of the Pioneers: Harold Fitzgerald, Fox-Wisconsin Theatres, who gave the Universal topper his start 40 years ago; Danny Kaye, and Jesse Block. As 58 new members of the 25-year club were inducted by Judge Ferdinand Pecora, it was evident that this was not exactly an infant industry, but certainly one in which a man entered to stay. As Nate Blumberg said, in dignified humility for the honor accorded him and a plea for care for those who have long labored in the movie business, "It is my feeling that the real Pioneers are yet to come." No better expression of faith in the future of this industry could have been made. ANOTHER CHAPTER in theatre television history will be written on December 11, when the full presentation of the Metropolitan Opera Company's "Carmen", directly from the Met stage, will be seen simultaneously on at least 27 theatre picture screens, and, possibly, as many as 38 theatres may carry the program. In New York, t'le 450-seat 50th Street Guild sold more than 100 of its seats at $7.20 (sic) the first week the sale started. The price is double t' at for any previous theatre TV attraction. The TV performance, set up Theatre Network Television, will be under the direction r[ Henry Souvaine as producer and Clark Jones as director for TNT, with the Metropolitan bowing to progress and permitting s-ecial TV lighting for the occasion. The ;,'i^w will star Rise Stevens in the title role, it'i Nadine Conner, Richard Tucker and Robert ("Aaron Slick from Punkin' Crick") Merrill featured. The production is a coup for Nathan L. Halpern, TNT president. It had to be cleared with the Metropolitan Opera, with Petrillo, with IATSE and with the American Guild of Musical Artists. After all these are taken care of, net proceeds go to the Met. MONEY TALK: That last RKO financial statement was a sight to make eyes sore. Operations as reported by the company for the three months ended Sept. 27, 1952, sank $1,064,000 into the red, compared with a net profit of $588,000 for the same quarter last year. For the nine months ended same date, the net loss was— hold tight— $4,777,000. In the 1951 three quarters, the company showed a respectable loss of $145,000. SAMUEL GOLDWYN, who earned industry bows for his donation of "Hans Christian Andersen" for the gala world premiere to benefit the Variety Clubs' Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, added more luster to his fine gesture. Upon being thanked for the premiere, Goldwyn disclosed that he was adding his own personal check for $25,000 to the Hospital and had made an additional provision in his will for that purpose. Then at a luncheon in his honor by the N. Y. Federation of Women's Clubs and the Motion Picture Councils of Greater New Yorlr, Gcldwyn disclosed that he has arranred for the nicture to be shown free EDITORIAL Variety Must Live The circus is a wonderful institution. In its spectacular way it brings happiness to millions, e~ploying the essence of showmanship in its presentation. The mid-winter meeting of Variety in Pittsburgh had the same wonderful trappings, in keeping with the tradition that a quarter of a century ago inspired the small group of men in that city to establish the show business charity organ:zation. There was a huge tent erected in t'.e ballroom of the William Penn Hotel, which converted its I 7th floor into a great midway with caged animals, pink lemonade and popcorn. There were even aerial acts in the Big Tent to maintain the atmosphere. But, also in keeping with the tradition that inspired the founders, when a foundling started Ihe Great Heart beating, a few simple words from International Chief Barker Jack Beresin told the story of those 25 years and the many more to come: "Charity is our purpose. Charity is our life. Show me a Tent without a fine Charity and I will show you either a Social Club or a Tent that is failing even in fellowship. Get a Great Charity and you will have a Great Tent. This does not take from the necessity of fine fellowship. It is vitaliy necessary for every Tent to afford an opportunity for association of showmen with each other. Out of that grows the plans and the accomplishment of fine charities." In these words, the Chief Barker expressed the essence of Variety — its aim to help others. By its numerous charities, this great organization, founded and supported by men of moviedom, has brought to our industry higher honor and wider respect than any of its many other notable accomplishments. Variety's Great Voice and its Great Heart must never be allowed to die. STEIN of charge to special audiences of children throughout the world who might normally not have the opportunity to see the film. Underprivileged children, newsboys, shutins, orphans and others in such categories were named by Goldwyn. And so, another deep bow. PROPERLY PRESENTED, the industry campaign against the Federal admissions tax has a good chance of victory. This was demonstrated when a group of 23 Colorado (Continued on Page 28) AT VARIETY'S MID Top Variety International cxecutites at. the Pitts Harris, liig Ross: Rob O'Donnell. Ringmaster, an -WINTER MEETING burgh meeting: Marc Wolf. Main Guy: John II7 Jack Beresin. International Chief Barker. F--;< 26 FILM BULLETIN D< comber I. I9S2